Every stage of eDiscovery depends on the one before it. Data collection sets the foundation for processing. Processing shapes how review unfolds. Review decisions inform production strategy and, ultimately, case outcomes. When these stages operate independently and across vendors, the process can feel more like a series of sprints than a coordinated relay.
The question is, when the time comes to pass the baton, do you hand it smoothly to your teammate in front of you, or do you have to toss it from five yards back and hope they catch it?
Expertise on Demand
Each phase of the EDRM requires specialized knowledge and technical skills. But what’s equally important is your team’s ability to know when and how to tap into that breadth of expertise. When you work with an eDiscovery partner that manages each step, from collections through production, the collaboration becomes effortless.
Since these departments work together across matters, they have a better understanding of the expertise of each member of the team. They know where to turn when a question comes up and how to anticipate what the next phase needs before it begins. That familiarity allows for faster decisions, clear communication, and a level of trust that only comes from experience working side-by-side.
Here's an example of how TCDI leverages knowledge across departments:
Erin Swakopf | Forensics Operations Manager
Digital Forensics Team
For one project, our forensic collection of cloud data presented a difficult challenge for eDiscovery ingestion and review. Due to limitations of the data source, we encountered processing gaps in a handful of unique fields.
We coordinated with our Client Data Services (CDS) and Client Services (CS) teams to refine custom field mapping, allowing us to standardize naming conventions. By working together, we were able to prevent search errors while improving client usability during review.
Established Workflows and Shared Language
And that level of service can’t be easily replicated. When multiple vendors are involved, even the most detailed playbook will take time to come together as each team learns how the others operate. An eDiscovery partner that provides end-to-end solutions, however, already knows how to work together and can tailor these established workflows to each client’s needs while identifying new efficiencies.
Additionally, professionals who undergo similar training, such as Lean Six Sigma certification, share a common language. They use the same principles to evaluate performance, solve problems, and maintain precision. That common foundation strengthens accountability and ensures every workflow is designed to perform reliably under pressure.
Here's an example of how TCDI tailors established workflows:
Jason Bentley | Project Director
Client Services Team
In 2019, TCDI took on a client project with the largest and most complex litigation we had ever faced. Though we completed the data migration successfully, the project tested the systems and processes we had in place. We took Lean Six Sigma, Legal Defense of Process, and business process management tools and combined them into one tightly intertwined discipline that would come to define how the company would conduct itself.
This new structure enabled us to create a sweeping and innovative approach to eDiscovery and data organization, allowing for flexibility and accountability of all litigation processes. Defensible Process Management brings extraordinary discipline and organization to even the most complex workflows, resulting in greater defensibility.
Reducing Risk Through Continuity
That same reliability becomes even more critical when managing risk. Each time data moves between vendors, there’s a new opportunity for something to be missed or misinterpreted. Small inconsistencies in processes or documentation can grow into larger issues later down the line.
Working with one partner keeps those risks in check. The same people who collected the data understand how it will be processed and why certain decisions are made. This level of continuity minimizes rework and supports defensibility, if challenged.
It also keeps sensitive data within a single, consistent security framework. Access controls, permissions, and audit logs follow one set of standards, reducing exposure and reinforcing trust at every stage.
Here’s an example of how TCDI reduces risk:
Jennifer Andres | Vice President, MSMR Program
Document Review Team
We had a very large matter (tens of millions of documents) that needed review within a matter of weeks. After several conversations with the Client, it was clear linear review of the documents was not going to be cost effective or efficient for the client. Working with our Client Services (CS) team, we applied a variety of culling techniques and efficient workflows to segregate the documents needing to be withheld so the remainder could be produced.
As a result, we were successful in removing millions from potential review, as well as using various analytics to target populations and ensure consistency among the coding. With utilizing such a complex workflow, we created detailed documentation outlining the process for all teams involved. This made for seamless updates to the Client and easy to follow process explanations.
A More Confident Handoff
Having one provider manage every phase can bring efficiency and consistency, but that alone doesn’t make it the right fit. It’s important to do your due diligence and find a partner whose people, processes, and priorities align with yours. That shared understanding builds the confidence that carries every project forward without hesitation. And, in the end, it comes down to how confidently you can pass the baton and trust that it will reach the finish line exactly as intended.
